Netsch Tries To Soften O'hare Runway Stand

April 20, 1994|By Thomas Hardy, Tribune Political Writer.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dawn Clark Netsch ran into campaign turbulence over the northwest suburbs Tuesday with a report that she favors new runways at O'Hare International Airport, but without the flight restrictions demanded by suburban officials.

The Netsch camp scrambled to soften her position in order to appease important suburban voter interests, and it tried to portray Gov. Jim Edgar as stifling to regional economic interests.

The governor's office, meanwhile, questioned Netsch's "straight shooter" reputation as a result of her efforts at damage control.

Slightly more than one out of every 10 votes cast in suburban Cook County next November will come out of the 11 townships around O'Hare where jet traffic and noise have been a dominant political issue.

Netsch ran well in the solidly Republican suburban area in 1990 when she was elected state comptroller, 47,000 votes behind the pace Edgar set in his election. The suburbs also provided Netsch with a cache of Democratic primary votes over her two major foes in the March 15 election.

Mayor Richard Daley, Netsch's chief political ally, wants to build another runway at O'Hare to ease flight delays at the world's busiest airport, but Edgar and local authorities want concessions on air traffic. Edgar has veto power over any new runways.

The Daily Herald reported Tuesday that Netsch said she would not stand in the way of new runways at O'Hare if she is elected and that she does not support a cap on night flights at the airport.

Netsch risks appearing as a handmaiden to the Chicago mayor by adopting City Hall's position.

Although Daley's stated purpose for the runway is to reduce flight delays, he has also indicated a desire to increase capacity at O'Hare as an economic stimulus for the city.

Suburbanites believe a new runway without ironclad noise restrictions would exacerbate their problems, and Edgar has taken their side. Edgar had characterized Netsch, a former legislator from the lakefront, as insensitive to the interests of suburban residents.

By Tuesday afternoon, the Netsch camp was trying to split the difference.

"We care about jobs," said Peter Giangreco, Netsch's campaign spokesman. "Dawn wants to do whatever we have to do to alleviate foul-weather delays. Otherwise, that business will go somewhere else.

"She will do anything to appease noise considerations-she's open to capping flights, noise-abatment measures, time limits-but she wants those jobs," Giangreco said. "She takes a position that is more pro-jobs than Edgar. He's taken the position of carrying the water for Republican mayors and isn't carrying leadership on this."